Tail-piece for stringed instruments



.(No Model.)

S. M. BURSON.

I TAIL PIECE FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

Patented May 22, 1888.

l vi bwcoom 344/0 MM 1 Wad 130320 5 071/, W a M% w UNiTED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

SAMUEL M. BURSON, OF

HANOVEBTON, OHIO.

TAIL-PIECE FOR STRlNGED lNSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 383,276, dated May 22, 1888.

Serial No. 257,54 (No model.)

T0 a l whom it may COIZCBFiZ-t Be it known that l, SAMUEL M. BURSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hanoverton, in the county of Oolumbiana and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tail-Pieces for Stringed Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in tail-pieces for violins, guitars, banjos,and other stringed instruments; and it has for its object the provision of a device whereby one or more extra strings may be carried attached to the instrument and concealed from view.

The invention consists in a tailpiece having a series of slots to receive the strings, a recess communicating with one or more of these slots, and a spool fitting in the recess and adapted to have one or more strings wound thereon in such a position as to be convenientlyattached to the instrument when needed.

The invention consists, furlher, in certain details of construction, hereinafter more fully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein--- Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a violin provided with my improved tailpiece. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the latter, with the spool shown detached. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the tail-piece.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates the tail-piece, having the slots B B therein, which communicate at the rear ends with the openings 0 (J.

D represents a rib which extends transversely across the tail-piece close to the front ends of the slots B B, and over this rib the strings of the instrument are adapted to pass.

E represents a recess or socket formed in the tail-piece in rear of the openings 0 O, and F F represent lugs on the upper side of the tailpiece at the front and rear ends of the recess or socket.

G represents a groove formed in the lower side of the tail-piece, which communicates at the opposite ends with the recess or socket E and with one of the openings 0.

H designates the spool, which is disposed in the recess or socket, and it is provided on the upper side with a'fiange, K, which rests on the upper side of the tail-piece around the re cess, and on the lower side with a flange, I,

which fits snugly in the recess. It will be seen that there is a space left between the body of the spool and the walls of the recess or socket.

The upper flange, K, is provided at the ends with notches L L to receive the lugs F, and. thus hold the spool in place on the tail-piece,

The Estring ill of the violin is wound around the spool between the flanges, and the end thereof is extended along the groove G, through the opening 0 and the slot B, and under the rib D. The other strings, N N, are provided on the ends with knots, which are engaged under the slots B B, as shown.

The E-string of the violin is more liable to break than any other, and therefore it is usual for a performer to have one or more extra strings attached to his instrument. They are usually wrapped around the head or the tuningpins therein. This is often inconvenient, besides rendering the appearance of the instrument not so neat.

The spool herein described will hold two or more strings, and therefore when one breaks another can be applied without delay. The appearance of the instrument, further, is not impaired by the application of this spool arranged as herein shown and described, as it is concealed from View in the tail-piece.

More than one spool may be employed, if desired, as I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of one. All the strings may be wound at the lower ends on spools.

It will be seen that the recess and the spool herein described are elliptical in form to pre vent the spool from turning when the strin 's are tightened to tune them, and by the use of a spool of this or any other shape, except round, the employment of pawls and similar devices is avoided.

Another advantage of the improved spool is that, having flanges which fit snugly in the re cess or socket, the string wound thereon is protected from moisture and dust. Further, the upper or outer surface of the tail-piece provided with the improved spool is unbroken by operatingpawls and other devices, and the device is extremely simple.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim 1. The combination, with a tail-piece for violins, guitars, banjos, and other stringed in- .ting snugly therein, and the upper flange, K,

bearing on the upper side of the tail-piece around the recess or socket, substantially as specified.

3. A tail-piece for violins, guitars, banjos,

and other stringed instruments, having the recess or socket E therein, the lugs F F, adja cent to said recess or socket, and the spool H provided with the lower flange, I, fitting snugly in the recess or socket, and the upper flange, K, having notches L -L to engage the said lugs, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL M. BURSON.

Witnesses:

A. V. J OHNSON, LIZZIE BURsoN. 

